(1941-2026)

Sister Joan Krajewski, formerly known as Sister Marie Kilian, died on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 85 years of age and in the 66th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
 
Sister Joan was born in Highland Park, Michigan, to Walter and Genevieve (Ringvelski) Krajewski. She graduated from Dominican High School in Detroit and received a bachelor’s degree in history from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a master’s degree in institutional administration from the University of Notre Dame, in Notre Dame, Indiana.
 
Sister ministered for 36 years in elementary and secondary education in Mundelein, Chicago, Oak Lawn, and Wilmette, Illinois. This includes more than 22 years of teaching at Regina Dominican High School, a legacy institution of the Congregation, in Wilmette. She also served for six years as an administrator for the Adrian Dominican Retirement Program in Adrian and then in Hometown, Illinois. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2008.
 
Sister Joan was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Daniel. She is survived by other loving family members, friends, and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
 
Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. 

Those not attending the upcoming services in person are welcome to participate via livestream at https://adriandominicans.org/Live-Stream.

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Services, Adrian.

 

LEFT: Walter and his daughter Joan, with Penny, 1943. MIDDLE LEFT: Joan at 3 years old. MIDDLE RIGHT: First holy Communion, 1949. RIGHT: 1959 graduate of Dominican High School, Detroit.

LEFT: Entrance Day, 1959. MIDDLE: Sister Marie Kilian at St. Mary Star of the Sea School in Chicago, where she taught from 1963 to 1967. RIGHT: Sister Marie Kilian with her parents, Genevieve and Walter, and her brother Dan on Reception Day, 1959.

LEFT: From left, Sisters Pauline Opliger, Joan Krajewski, and Marion O’Connor enjoy a special event sponsored by Regina Dominican High School. MIDDLE: Sister Joan Krajewski and Regina Dominican High School students attend a pep rally in 2004. RIGHT: Sister Joan Krajewski responds with joy when she wins a raffle prize at a Regina Dominican high school event.

Members of the 2019 Diamond Jubilee Crowd are: back row from left: Sisters Rosemarie Kieffer, Peter Anthony Schulte, Christa Marsik, Sean Eileen Allgeyer, Sarah Ann Sharkey, Jo Ann Jauquet, and Helen Wilson; middle row from left, Sisters Mary Diane McMeekin, Susan Van Baalen, Beverly Bobola, Jean Keeley, Rosemary Zuccaro, and Joan Marie Weithman; and front row from left, Sisters Joan Krajewski, Mary Emidio Singer, Mary Jean Clemenger, Patricia Janowicz, Delores DeBets, Joan Christine Meerschaert, and Donna Markham (Prioress).

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